THE FATHER LIFE | the men's magazine for today's fathers

Review: Brian Culbertson Bringing Back the Funk

By: Joseph Hollins
June 2, 2008

A wise old adage explains, "You can't know where you're going unless you explore where you've been." While this is certainly true in most other aspects of life, it's hard to imagine how this principle could hold true in regards to making music. In an age where artists are pushing the envelope to be cutting edge, or original for that matter, it's refreshing when someone thinks outside of the box we call the industry norm and creates a piece of work that celebrates similar artisans or artwork that have been successful in previous attempts. One such artist has done this and at the same time managed to maintain a level of integrity in doing so.

While being no stranger in traditional Jazz listening circles, Brian Culbertson--the smooth jazz instrumentalist and consistent Billboard chart topper--adds another weapon to his repertoire that has been the driving force of his now storied career. Bringing Back the Funk, Culbertson's latest offering, infuses both Jazz and Funk art forms together--genres that have been missing from mainstream musical play lists for over 20 years.

Culbertson says, "Funk is truly the music I grew up listening to and I couldn't wait any longer to get a funk record out. The bottom line is that I couldn't get enough when I was young. Fast forward 33 years and it was time to bring back the funk." Not only did he do this in a big fashion, Culbertson also enlisted the help of an all-star cast of guest players, including the likes of Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Gerald Albright, and Ronald Laws, as well as vocals by Music Soulchild, Ledisi, and many others. The old school voices along with the musical sections formed by the guest artists garner critical attention along with much needed radio airplay. Brian's passion for this Jazz-Funk genre can be felt laid out across each track the album contains.

Ledisi's cover of Bill Withers' "The World Keeps Going Around" skillfully dances along your ears and argues musically and lyrically as the album's best track, but "You Got To Funkifize," the James Brown from the party to the pulpit cover sung by Chance Howard, rivals Ledisi for Funk's top honors. Eddie Miller also invokes a familiar baritone voice on the Donny Hathaway cover of "Voices Inside (Everything is Everything)," leaving you with goose bumps from how eerily close they sound alike. Music Soulchild leaves much to be desired on "Hollywood Swinging," but outstanding instrumentalists and extraordinary back-up vocals more than make up for his lackluster performance.

From Bootsy's collaboration on the album's first track, "Funkin Like My Father," to Culbertson's crafty keyboard work on its Earth, Wind, and Fire inspired finale, "Lets Stay in Tonight," Bringing Back the Funk embodies the joy, fun, soul, and sophistication of classic Jazz-Funk. All of the sessions from the recordings of this album were done live in the studio, just like they were during the height of Funk's popularity, to help give it a classic old school funky feel. On every track horn sections squeal, guitar players riff, and Culbertson's skillful key work combine, proving that there is much to be learned from the past to ensure a bright future.

Joseph Hollins says, "I am a 30 years old with no kids, so I'm not a father, but I play a good one on T.V. to my nephew and niece of 12 and 3 years old respectively. I work primarily as a Sheriff's Deputy in Tennessee, but also as an aspiring freelance writer. I truly love the gifts of children and family, and hope to have the two for my own someday soon."


home \| forums \| links \| articles \| about us rss feed
	(sign up!)
Review: Brian Culbertson Bringing Back the Funk By: Joseph Hollins June 2, 2008 A wise old adage explains, "You can't know where you're going unless you explore where you've been." While this is certainly true in most other aspects of life, it's hard to imagine how this principle could hold true in regards to making music. In an age where artists are pushing the envelope to be cutting edge, or original for that matter, it's refreshing when someone thinks outside of the box we call the industry norm and creates a piece of work that celebrates similar artisans or artwork that have been successful in previous attempts. One such artist has done this and at the same time managed to maintain a level of integrity in doing so. While being no stranger in traditional Jazz listening circles, Brian Culbertson--the smooth jazz instrumentalist and consistent Billboard chart topper--adds another weapon to his repertoire that has been the driving force of his now storied career. Bringing Back the Funk, Culbertson's latest offering, infuses both Jazz and Funk art forms together--genres that have been missing from mainstream musical play lists for over 20 years. Culbertson says, "Funk is truly the music I grew up listening to and I couldn't wait any longer to get a funk record out. The bottom line is that I couldn't get enough when I was young. Fast forward 33 years and it was time to bring back the funk." Not only did he do this in a big fashion, Culbertson also enlisted the help of an all-star cast of guest players, including the likes of Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Gerald Albright, and Ronald Laws, as well as vocals by Music Soulchild, Ledisi, and many others. The old school voices along with the musical sections formed by the guest artists garner critical attention along with much needed radio airplay. Brian's passion for this Jazz-Funk genre can be felt laid out across each track the album contains. Ledisi's cover of Bill Withers' "The World Keeps Going Around" skillfully dances along your ears and argues musically and lyrically as the album's best track, but "You Got To Funkifize," the James Brown from the party to the pulpit cover sung by Chance Howard, rivals Ledisi for Funk's top honors. Eddie Miller also invokes a familiar baritone voice on the Donny Hathaway cover of "Voices Inside (Everything is Everything)," leaving you with goose bumps from how eerily close they sound alike. Music Soulchild leaves much to be desired on "Hollywood Swinging," but outstanding instrumentalists and extraordinary back-up vocals more than make up for his lackluster performance. From Bootsy's collaboration on the album's first track, "Funkin Like My Father," to Culbertson's crafty keyboard work on its Earth, Wind, and Fire inspired finale, "Lets Stay in Tonight," Bringing Back the Funk embodies the joy, fun, soul, and sophistication of classic Jazz-Funk. All of the sessions from the recordings of this album were done live in the studio, just like they were during the height of Funk's popularity, to help give it a classic old school funky feel. On every track horn sections squeal, guitar players riff, and Culbertson's skillful key work combine, proving that there is much to be learned from the past to ensure a bright future. Joseph Hollins says, "I am a 30 years old with no kids, so I'm not a father, but I play a good one on T.V. to my nephew and niece of 12 and 3 years old respectively. I work primarily as a Sheriff's Deputy in Tennessee, but also as an aspiring freelance writer. I truly love the gifts of children and family, and hope to have the two for my own someday soon."